Russia recorded their first win of the women’s Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013 when they saw off Fiji, bouncing back from their defeat to Malaysia a day earlier. The Oceania side endured a double blow in the ninth minute when Soko Salaniqiqi – a dual international sports star having also represented her country at athletics – was forced off injured on a stretcher.

From the ensuing penalty corner, Alina Krasnoperova scrambled in at the third attempt for the game’s opening goal. And the Russians were to move four clear by the interval as Yana Doronina netted once while Ekaterina Shaburova was on the mark twice.

Their control continued into the second half with Krasnoperova completing a hat-trick and Doronina netting the pick of the goals on her backhand from the top of the circle. It extended the lead to nine despite the excellent work of Susana Mudunatagi between the posts as Russia shook of their loss to Malaysia.